Irish teen takes home bronze in International Olympiad in Informatics

News > Irish teen takes home bronze in International Olympiad in Informatics

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21 Jul 2014

The 26th IOI was held in Taipei, Taiwan, from 13 to 20 July. The event represents the pinnacle of computer programming at secondary-school level.

More than 300 students from 82 countries attended this year’s IOI to solve six highly complex algorithmic problems over two days. Many of those in attendance were self-taught in programming techniques generally introduced to students in their third year of studying computer science at university level.

Tynan, from Cistercian College, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, had been selected along with three other students to represent Ireland in the international challenge. He is no stranger to the competition, either.

“This is my third and final year attending the IOI and I was determined to win a medal,” he said.

“I’m going to miss coming to the IOI now that I’m starting college. It's been a wonderful experience visiting Taiwan and making new friends from around the world,” added Tynan.

Gary Conway led the Irish delegation in Taipei and is delighted with Tynan’s win of Ireland’s first IOI medal in five years.

“To put it in perspective, the UK, Spain and Hungary also only received one bronze medal, so when you compare these populations, Ireland is definitely punching above its weight,” he said.

Tynan has been invited to study computer science at the University of Cambridge in the UK, while fellow participant Conor Griffin plans to enrol in Dublin City University in September. Meanwhile, Áron Hoffman and Daniel Mulcahy are determined to compete at the 2015 IOI in Kazakhstan.